In scientific researches, we use the word "influence" or "effect". Is there a difference between the two words. Can we use them interchangeably?
What is the difference between affect and influence?
As nouns the difference between influence and effect is that influence is the power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions while effect is the result or outcome of a cause see below .
As verbs the difference between influence and effect is that influence is to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce while effect is to make or bring about; to implementation.
http://wikidiff.com/influence/effect
Though the mean similar the subtle difference is Influence is a superset and effect is a subset.
There are four interrelated components that influence a statistical test in a research project.
The four components are:
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/power.php
Influence --- the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself ---- e.g. the influence of television violence.
Effect --- a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause --- e.g. effects of knowledge management on innovation.
In legislation; we can make influence to the politicians to change laws as effect. If applied mutatis mudandi to research, influence would be predecessor to effect.
Dear Mahfuz.
This is absolutely interesting, and I am certain of the importance of the contributes you will get to this question. I will certainly keep following this to read from with great interest.
You mark an important issue as you differentiate between politics and research.
In scientific research we must keep rigorous honesty in every one of our observations and remarks. That is the great challenge of research.
Nevertheless, we must start with a review on the subject, an check on what our predecessors wrote on the same subject.In strict sense, and bibliographic review will exert some influence on our our research.
But the greatest thrill of honest scientific research is the critical analysis that follows our personal observations and results, leading to original conclusions. The effect , thus, will be on the originality of our conclusions, if and when we keep honesty in our personal reasoning.
Hence, the difference between influence and effects will correspond to the honesty and original reasoning we apply to the conclusions of our scientific research.
It also depends on us not to allow any financial grant to influence the honesty of our results...
In our research in biology, we often use the following three words on a par:
Influence, effect and impact to express the same meaning.
Best wishes
Dear Mahfuz Judeh,
Influence - the impact exerted on an object and leads to a change in its properties, position and so on.
Effect - the response to some action or result, which is a consequence of any act.
Regards, Shafagat
I would admit that these two terms have been used interchangeably under various contexts. There is a difference between them in general. Suppose there was a continuum running from correlation (A) at one end to the opposing end of causality (B); "influence" is closer to B, while "effect" is closer to A. It is the effect that often draws me to the problem, where I seek to establish an influence.One may also clarify by saying that effect is often empirically-established outcome. While influence is something more of a logical tracing of roots and sources, outlining the causal mechanisms/chain. Time is of the essence as well. Effects are points in time. Influences are points through/over time. The latter is trajectory, the former is state.
I belief that these two terms are used interchangeably under various contexts without any difference
Influence could contribute to "effect"
Effect is a result or change of something and influence could be contributing towards or against achieving the result/change/effect.
influence = have the power to change or alter something
He influenced the future of the company when he launched the new product
effect = cause something to happen
She effected the change of programme after arguing that it was essential.
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/52157-influence-afface-effect
Effect is a noun.
Ex: The drug had an immediate effect on the pain.
Influence has the same meaning as the word affect.
The first difference is that it can be used as a noun or a verb.
The second difference is that it's usually used when there is a sense of control being exerted, especially when there is a specific result.
Ex: The preference of your boss can influence your decision making.
http://ielts.studyhorror.com/questions/difference-influence-affect-effect/46
Influence need role model or a good leader to influence people , where effect go to all kind of people .
Causes lead to effects. Causes may be due to various factors which may influence one another, thus creating the causes.
English people can give the specific meaning and differences between these two words. I think there are some differences in terms of measuring, outputs, and continuouty of 'effect' or 'influnec'.
Influence is the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others. In other words, is the power to change or affect someone or something: the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen.
Effect is something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence. In other words, is a change that results when something is done or happens: an event, condition, or state of affairs that is produced by a cause.
Bearing in mind the above definitions, I think that these are two different concepts that can not be used interchangeably in the field of research.
Dear Mahfuz
The word 'effect' can have two meanings: the result; the aim or purpose
The word influence means, as a noun, 'the controlling power' and, as a verb, 'exert controlling power'.
How interchangeable they are depends on the context. See the sentence below
'Drug A effects its influence on Drug B by influencing some of its effects''
This is technically correct, but this is better said 'Drug A influences Drug B by modifying its effects', etc.
Hope this is helpful
Narayanan
Dear Narayanan,
As for your example, I believe that saying "Drug A influences Drug B by modifying its effects..." is better said.
As far as I think, effect is found when exact relation between independent and dependent variable is found, i.e. as we do in case of an experimental study where strict control is exercised, where as influence is like a partial or multiple correlation or when an inexact relation is observed, like in non experimental studies.
Greetings,
Effect is usually the result of something. We have a phrase called "Cause and Effect".
Example: The storm caused a dramatic effect on the town's people.
Influence is when something is altering your behavior. For example, Your friend tells you to go to the store and buy some candy. You go to the store and buy the candy. Your friend "influenced" you to do that.
It can also be used in the way you described.
Example: His favorite singer influenced him to create beautiful music as well.
Hope this is helpful
Dear Aladeen.
Your post is very helpful.
Is there a difference in developing the following hypothesis
"Variable A influences Variable B" .... or
"Variable A affects Variable B".
In research the word 'Influence' is used when certain things or factors or conditions lead to alteration (positive/negative) in the ongoing/existing course of action. It is more related to process rather than state. Effect is the definitive upshot of research activity.
As far as I was taught, the convention is that influence is not a measurable characteristic (as a noun) and is used as it would be in any other setting, whereas effect is a more precise and measurable quantity (as in effect size). This comes from the definition of influence as a process and effect as the result.
What is the difference between affect and influence?
As nouns the difference between influence and effect is that influence is the power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions while effect is the result or outcome of a cause see below .
As verbs the difference between influence and effect is that influence is to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce while effect is to make or bring about; to implementation.
http://wikidiff.com/influence/effect
Behrouz,
I didn't downvote you--nor anyone else because it would be in bad taste among scholars--but as a native USA speaker of English, I think your post had it about right. It might be helpful to think of the words in relation to some outcome. If x influences the outcome y, then x is a factor in arriving at the outcome. If z effects the outcome y, then z is the trigger that brings about y; essentially, z causes y. In this sense, influence and affect mean about the same. If there is a subtle difference between these two words, affect surrounds direct interaction with the outcome, but influence can be indirect.
If the object is a person, if x affects John, then the action is direct and complete; John's state has been altered, so he is already happy, sad, nervous, etc. If z influences John, then John's propensity to do something--his mental state--may be altered, but his actual state is not altered. There might be an eventual outcome that is influenced by z.
No, dear Behrouz, there is no reason for down voting, and we all know that. Because down voting is not scientific. It is an absurdity, that need not be analysed...
The word impact is used in the sense of ‘influence’. On the other hand the word ‘effect’ is used in the sense of ‘result’. Research has an academic impact when the influence is upon another researcher. Even if we could track through the influence of any given piece of research amidst this welter of other influences.
Mainz, Germany
Dear Judeh & readers,
"Effect" is commonly encountered, as remarked above, in talk of "cause and effect." Just because of that, in talking about intellectual matters, there is an important distinction often made between "effect" and "affect." Someone reads the results of research, and all things considered, the specific results may change the way in which the reader understands or approaches the topic or subject-matter. However, considered generally, there is unlikely to be a great degree of uniformity in the reactions of various readers. Sometimes this happens, of course, but generally, any such "effect" (if that is the proper word) may be assimilated to "affect" --which allows for the variations of reactions and readings.
To speak of "influence" of the research seems to be an alternative way of backing off any implication of strict "cause and effect."
An "influence" (Cf. German "Einfluss") is literally, that which "flows in," and the usage is based on an old, even Neoplatonic metaphor. The old philosophical-religious idea was that when something stimulates us to have a new "creative" idea, the gods have reached out and touched us--ideas "stream in" as it were from a heavenly source. But, of course, we have to be "prepared" to receive such an "in flow," and those not prepared, are left out? Thus the variability (or sometimes the generality) of "influence."
H.G. Callaway
In my opinion "influence" reflects tendency which is not very significant statistically in contrast to "effect", which shows real impact on something
Dear Mahfuz, as it is defined by www.dictionary.com effect is a "power to produce results; efficacy; force; validity:; influence-"the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others"
Influence has two main connotations that effect/affect doesn't. The first is that of relation to process rather than state, so that something might effect/affect a rock but rarely would circumstances arise where we could speak of that rock being influenced. The second, and weaker, connotation is of emotive response being involved; this is probably the connotation that makes it feel less appropriate to use in reference to a bike's performance. (We do speak of mechanistic processes being influenced, though, especially complex ones.)
In fact, there are differences between effect and influence, and we should be aware when using them. Effect and influence cannot be used interchangeably.
"Influence" it acts like catalyst to any scenario and the effect is the feedback of the overall scenario...
What is the difference between "influence" and "effect" in researches?
Depending on how the 2 words are being used in its respective sentence or in what context - merely based on the term itself:
- "Influence" is generally the action (verb) but sometimes it can be used as a noun which is similar to effect (noun)
- "Effect" is generally refer to the outcome of an action (noun), however sometimes it is also being used as a verb
There is another word "affect" which is a verb similar to the meaning of influence i.e. an action.
"The difference between influence and effect in researches". One may not really know the difference between the two words because they are synonymous in usage especially in research. Also, the meaning may depends on the context in which they are being used.
To the best of my knowledge, 'influence' can mean what drives you to embark or move in one direction over another which may be your personal scientific interest,Funds or money, even your colleagues. While 'effect' can be an estimation from a model.
Dear Mahfuz:
I think that I tend to agree with Behrouz.
If we have to differentiate between those notions, I would reserve the word "influence" to refer to the process through which an independent variable has a causal relationship with a dependent variable.
I would then use the word "effect" to refer to the outcome that this process produces on the influenced variable.
I think however that our use of these notions are usually less precise.
I much appreciate this question was made. I also understand that there are at least two contexts where these terms may appear: first, as semantic discussion about whether they are or not synonymous words (I think they are not). The second, in the context of writing research papers (to be read by the community). When reading papers, there are much too common instances when the proper terms are evaded, what leads to confusion or misunderstanding of the paper’s message. From this standpoint, I fully agree with Maria Bettencourt’s opinion as well as that of Behrouz, all of this assuming that “effect” has not been confused with “affect” in this exchange. Maria remarks “honesty” in her comment and this brings about the need of using the most clear and proper ways when selecting the words for writing a paper. When this is not accomplished the bibliographic review becomes either a puzzle or a source of error, or both.
As an example I would present two cases: a) the absence of an explicit research hypothesis in apparently analytic designs. Apparently” just because statistical tests and association measures and their tests are carried out not clearly granted by any hypothesis that might enhance the understanding of methods and outcomes and hence the assessment of them (i.e. the eventual association direction or how to assessing errors type I and 2). This way, bibliographic study may also become an unsafe task for an honest reader. b) This kind of papers “affect” the main pursued outcome: the (eventually wrong) effect on readers decisions about a particular clinical or epidemiological issue.
The solution would be better editorial reviews, many times clearly insufficient even in main stream journals.
An EFFECT happens on account of a prior cause whereas INFLUENCE directs things towards an outcome.
I would specify a bit my previous post saying that EFFECTS are the changes in the dependent variable due to the INFLUENCE (action, process) from one or more independent variables.
Influence is uncertain - it may or may not. - non statistical kind of uncertainty.
Effect is certain.
An effect happens on account of a prior cause whereas influence directs things towards an outcome. I completely agree with your statement dear Yogesh.
Some influences are effective in causing a desired result.
I think this sentence describes the relation between influence, cause, effect and result.
:-)
Narayanan
In general we use following three words which are seem to be same meaning “Influence, effect and impact”.
Influence - of test parameters
Effect - of parameters / on results and outcome
Impact – due to the results / on results and outcome
Is there a difference between
"The effect of organizational trust on employee satisfaction" and
"The influence of organizational trust on employee satisfaction"
Effect are the results of influences. Proper question may be How dies orga.. trust affect employees satisfaction
The influence of philosophical perspectives in integrative research
http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol13/iss2/art52/
Can we say that the influence is for a short-term or medium-term period of the experiment while the effect is for a long-term period.
Don't think so, Mahfuz. Long term influences can cause short term effects, isn't it so?
Affect means making a change in an object where Influence means making a change in the attitude/behaviour of an entity.
In a research, a researcher may be influenced by many of previous works, but may be affected by research methods of several works.
I think that 'affect' has a direct action where 'influence' has an indirect action.
Affect is about same as influence, but effect is different
Narayanan
The term "effect" is used most often in scientific study while influence is used more often in observation study
An effect happens on account of a prior cause.
An influence directs things towards an outcome.
So, ... influence may be the background of the cause, in "cause-effect" relation.
The influential effect on causes leaves freedom of choice for the decision of the effector. This is how things should work. We should take well-documented decisions, according to the different influences that we analyse.
In research we have many-many "effect" to study, and "influence" is a reason for witch you choosey one or other way (thematics or methods)
The Ripple Effect: Emotional Contagion and Its Influence on Group Behavior -
Based on the above title, it is good enough to explain in psychological perspective
Effect - Model (objective focus)
Influence - Action (Subjective focus)
Impact on the other hand does not indicate a consequence but on the other hand it only implies the influence of an action. The usage of the word ‘impact’ implies ‘power’ whereas the usage of the word ‘effect’ implies ‘outcome’. This is the main difference between the two words. Effect often refers to the result or the consequence of an action. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence: The drug had an immediate effect on the pain. The government's action had no effect on the trade imbalance. Being able to determine the effect a data point has on summary statistics provides useful insight into the construction of better parameter estimators. Consider, for example, a person with an annual income of more than $1 million in a room with nine others with annual incomes in the $25,000 to $50,000 range. The average income for this group of 10 is greater than $100,000, but this is not a useful summary statistic of the typical income of most members of the group. From this example, you observe that the inclusion of an observation far removed from the bulk of the observations in a sample can have a great effect on the estimated overall mean. If included, the outlying observation actually pulls the average value of the group toward it.
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for the useful information in your posts. In medicine, why we say side effects and not side influences or side impacts?
Dear Mahfuz
Your comment about side effect is a good one. I would put it like this
Effects and side-effects are due to the influence/impact of the medicine. That is effect is the result, and influence or cause is the result, in this instance particularly
Narayanan
The following article explains clearly these words:
1. The effect of influence type and performance outcomes on attitude towads the influencer. Journal of Marketing research, 29 (1), 1992.
2. The tension-stress effect on the genesis and growth of tissues: part 1. The influence of stability of fixation and soft- tissue preservation. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research: SECTION III: BASIC SCIENCE AND PATHOLOGY, Vol., 238.
Influence leads to effect, depending on the degree of influence the degreee of effect varies. in research, what makes you to take up a project, follow a project and work on a project is influence and the final outcome of your project is going to be the effect of your project on society/ things/ people.
Influence refers to the power to change or affect someone or something without directly forcing those changes to happen but usually in an important way. Something or someone that influences a person or thing, then, has an influence on that person or thing. Effect is the "Change" as a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
It is a question of fact, whether the influence of motives be fixed by laws of nature, so that they shall always have the same effect in the same circumstances.
---- Thomas Reid
“In scientific researches, we use the word "influence" or "effect". Is there a difference between the two words? Can we use them interchangeably?”
Thanks for sharing/invitation Dear RG Friend Mahfuz. Influence (“influência” in Portuguese) may be related with motivation or cause, even if indirect, and effect (“efeito” in Portuguese) is related with the product or result. So, at least in this context, I do not see any similitude between the two words. They may be together or related directly sometimes or even many times but are distinct. Social sciences are not my area of expertise. However I can say that humans are social beings, and so, perhaps all human are influenced between each other (naturally some more than others), which may contribute decisively for the effect or result that is human behavior. Nevertheless, such influence can be filtered, particularly through education and reasoning, and is not necessarily the (only) cause of human behavior.
The effects are dependent on the influence. This dependency isdirectly proportional,
influence : have the power to change or alter something
effect : cause something to happen
I agree with the answer of Prof. Tareq Abdhilkadim Alasadi.
Regards
SM Najim
Influence is the way to proceed,but effect is the result of produce action
Dear Mehfuz
As I understand, effect is direct correlation (one to one) i.e. ascertaining the cause using some experimental method, whereas influence is something like partial and multiple relations between one variables with many others.
Influence is the power that something has make something behave in a particular way but effect is the change that something causes in something else.
Hi,
I think it is as follows:
Influence is the effect that a person or thing has on someone’s decisions, opinions, or behaviour or on the way something happens, e.g. without his famous father’s influence, he would never have got the job, wheres, effect is a change that is produced in one person or thing by another, e.g. scientists are studying the chemical’s effect on the environment.
I hope this helps.
Effect is the effect from the point of view of the affected body, but influence from the point of view of the affecting factor.
Effect Size
The amount of change in a dependent variable that can be attributed to manipulations of the independent variable. A large effect size exists when the value of the dependent variable is strongly influenced by the independent variable. It is the mean difference on a variable between experimental and control groups divided by the standard deviation on that variable of the pooled groups or of the control group alone.
Statistical efficiency
Between-test comparisons are based on the ratio of sample sizes required for the tests to have equal probabilities of detecting the same false null hypothesis; the more efficient test will have the smaller sample size. It is used to describe results.
Influence
Used when certain things or factors or conditions lead to alteration (positive/negative) in the ongoing/existing course of action.
It is used to describe impact (the process through which an independent variable has a causal relationship with a dependent variable.).
Influence means the thing that contributes to the effect. The effect on the other hand is the end-state.
According to me. both the terms are used in Research. The word effect is used in experimental research , while the word influence is used in survey type research.
I agree with Kiran Dammani as to when the two are used. In terms of meaning effect is the result of doing something whereas influence is the process. For example if someone needs food, that person is influenced by hunger. The effect is the satisfaction brought by the food eaten.
I need some hepls here: What Is the difference between influence and impact in a research?
influence is the related to the parameters or generally factors, effect is the results (end process)of the state.
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